Paul Merson opens up about gambling addiction
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- čas přidán 20. 10. 2023
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Paul Merson shares his own experiences of gambling addiction as the Soccer Saturday panel discuss Sandro Tonali & Nicolo Zaniolo betting investigation.
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Ironically I got a betting Ad during this video
😂😂
😂😂
It’s no joke: these media and sports organizations wanna have their cake and eat it too
😁and no doubt they will be showing the latest sky bet odds in the advert breaks along with all the players running around in their betting logo shirts. They will tell you to please bet responsibly though….then send you free bets if you ever dare to close down your account ..so they can hook you back in.
what's the point of buying a cake, if you're not going to eat it? @@Jettplayzgames
When I had a 4 week break from gambling I couldn't believe how gambling adverts are absolutely everywhere, its inescapable!!
Same as the booze. Advertised everywhere.
Only this morning I was listening to talksport on my way to work, talking about the Tonali and Zaniolo and stuff, how dangerous gambling addiction is etc, and then immediately afterwards was a gambling site being advertised. It is quite ironic too how many players are being done for gambling whilst their own clubs have betting sponsors on their shirts or all around their stadiums.
Exactly! It’s shocking that it’s allowed.
I can’t believe it’s allowed really, if tobacco ads are banned so should gambling
bet you got some juicy free bet offers?
Bought to you by Sky Bet
Yeah, it’s relentless now
Paul would be great on those ads. Always smiling having a laugh. Sign him up Sky!
*Brought
@@Tom-ws2zx love it,🤣🤣😂😂🤣
Mad respect for speaking up, Paul. I know this ain't easy, but here you are opening up about one of the most serious addictions out there. God bless you and hopefully things get better.
He always does. Every few months for many years he's spoken about it on TV.
Does he still gamble?
@@barry2924 he still gets free bets from skybet for doing the adverts
Cokehead moron.
Hes been talking bout this for nearly 30 years.Go away merson
Most mature footballing discussion I’ve ever heard. Not a fan of Merson as a pundit but this was powerful stuff and changed my mind on the Tonali situation.
Did it change your mind on the Toney too or just Tonali?
@@Obiodum_ shut up race-baiting spastic
Tonali doesn’t seem to be involved in match fixing, he never bet to lose so that puts a different slant on it for me.
Of course it does mate. Different strokes for different folks.
Without knowing any of the facts or details, Merson is assuming that Tonali is a gambling addict. Great work.
i really enjoyed this adult conversation about the troubles of addiction. Education is the key to defeating the illness that is addiction
Addictions not an illness, it’s a way of coping with reality and making it better !
It’s a choice , yes. Difficult thing to end once it’s your routine ! But if you want to change , make the effort and you can ! I was a cocaine addict for ten years and gambling addict in between ! Met a woman who changed my life and I wanted to change , I chose to stop living that way , that was ten years ago . Merson is a pathetic excuse for a man !
@@STSauto if you are driven to addiction by factors outside your control it is not a choice. Like being abused by your dad making you have stress and anxiety issues for example. Merson is being honest about a problem we could all use education on. Addiction is an illness, medically and logically. You can deny it but doctors do not. Going to side with doctors on this one
@@STSauto addiction is not a choice. Speak to any recovering addict. Yes, the first drink, drug bet is. But honestly from the bottom of my heart as a recovering addict, I did not choose to be gripped by it, but it did, and by the time I hit my rock bottom, it was against my will. It's hard to understand for someone who is not an addict, but if you speak to those in recovery, they will tell you the same.
@@1andahalfmen268 I was an addict you melt ! You chose to go back , you chose to take a drug or a drink, see when your partner saves money for YOUR kids and her to buy a house and you waste it , that's not addiction my friend , that's a man who's had his own way throughout life and time and time again people fix it for him . He's a joke of a parent and man !
@@TheWiseJameseducation will not solve the problem
Want to send some respect and love out to Paul merson. The man doesn't know how he's an inspiration to so many people. Top man
@@StephenC-49think you’re missing Merse’s point here. Get the lads help. Give them a 12 step program/therapy whatever it takes to help their demons. Obviously a fine is acceptable. But a hefty ban isn’t necessarily a deterrent. Speaking from experience.
Mans a loser , a grown man who can’t control himself is a loser ! Why this man is listens to is a disgrace ,
As a fellow compulsive gambler I have the utmost respect for Merson and his words. This addiction is so strong, hence I don’t think he himself has ever truly conquered it.
Good post mate.
@@Magicwhip1 thank you. Appreciated.
@@keef6586 100% right mate ! The worst part is when you start recouping your money and the bookies close your account because you are not “ profitable “ to them ! Ultimately though, they always take your money in the end.
What would you class as a compulsive gambler ? I bet on the footie most nights of the week but I don’t class it as an illness or addiction I just think to myself it’s fun , I lose I lose , I win it’s a bonus
@@markillingworth1972 one definition which I relate to is “I can’t stop when im winning and I can’t stop when I’m losing. “
You don’t seem to have a problem. It’s just fun for you.
Respect to Sky for sticking with Paul through his dark times. I saw him at Cheltenham at the clubs and tatts bar and genuinely thought at the time that gambling and booze will take this man. I am glad to be proven wrong and have nothing but respect for him.
I love how passionate Merson is on this matter so true about the situation if the person has a problem is a pure illness
“Next time you get the runs.. try stop that with Willpower” 😅😂 Legendary
Mersons words - Powerful and so true really impressive and humbling. Struggled with all, mastered one, we will get there
I love Paul Merson's comments,....every word a true word, filled with so much meaning. Thank you so much Paul!!!
PennyXxx
Well said Paul Merson, he's known the sharp end of all the addictions he mentioned. The FA should be working with people like him on how to handle this.
Never been the biggest fan of Paul Merson per se, but he’s definitely speaking from a place of knowledge and experience here, he seems very passionate about the issues of addiction and on this occasion I must say I fully agree with him.
Well done Merse for having the humanity and understanding to see this situation with clarity
Completely agree with Paul Merson here and well said. To a certain extent many people have some sort of an addiction. There’s compulsive buying, compulsive eating, compulsive smoking etc…… these problems need to be given love, support and help.
addiction in general is just so hard and everyone around you turns against you and it turns you into a horrible person. these people need help as well as people in general. its bigger than football
It's so much bigger than football, the players should be banned from football so they can take care of themselves and not be distracted by the small issue of football.
bad idea. that will fuel their addiction more. unless youve been an adict dont comment. @@TomBerishaj
@@TomBerishaj Did you even watch Mersons interview? He is an ex gambling addict and said that playing football was his only release from it. If you take that away from footballers theyre left with lots of spare time on their hands and nothing to do.... but gamble. His argument was dont ban them from the sport they love playing(unless they bet against their own team of course)... Help them. If you want to take care of them then dont ban them.
@@Razormiller Yes, I watched. I would help them by banning them from professional football, freeing them up to bet on every game they please. As they work on recovery, I would encourage them to play amateur football, since they love the game so much.
But I would not expect the professional game to allow them to bring disrepute on the game, thereby damaging a multi-billion dollar industry. I would not expect professional clubs to pay them the money they will use to bring the game into disrepute.
@@TomBerishaj Ah I see, youre a disingenuous imbecile. I didnt realise that when I replied. Take it easy.
Comparing diarrhoea with gambling addictions is such a nuanced observation from Mers
Its a common comparison used when talking about addiction, only uneducated idiots think addiction can be stopped by will power
Never been a fan of Merson. But hits the nail here. As a recovering addict I cannot describe the power of addiction enough. Doesn't matter what you earn, addiction doesn't care.
It's the same with prisons. Stats show that crime through addiction is not impacted by prison. Treatment centers are the answer.
Treat, don't punish!
So your recovering ....... You made a choice to quit eh ??? You changed your routine and Mates and made every effort to make yourself proud - merson doesn't , he talks a good game , but makes zero effort to change . Russel brand , Davina macall , heroin addicts and look at their careers , they chose to change. . Your doing amazing by being in recovery , keep it up , but that's a CHOICE YOU MADE , you knew life couldn't go on the way it was . Paul merson chooses his "addiction " over his marriage and his kids , says it all . He's still on TV , earning to gamble , if he wants to change , get out of media , get away from sport , make gambling companies aware he need a ban , make it impossible to gamble , within a year he'd be on the road to recovery . He makes zero effort .
@@STSauto Dont talk about things you dont understand, You are part of the problem.
@@jimjogger306 why's that ? What don't I understand ? I've been an addict . No people like merson are the problem and people like you who clearly can't read and only see what you want to see
@@STSauto I made a choice to quit 6 years before I managed to be successful. I attended self help meetings for years and couldn't break the cycle. Had it been as easy as just making the choice I'd be 16 years clean rather than 10. Seriously not trying to argue in any way, but Merson has a point; I needed support to stop. As a footballer, how can they access support if they are going to get destroyed and banned? I don't know the truth behind the Tonali stuff, because reports have been at every extreme possible. If he really is an addict though, I wish him the best of luck, as I would do any other addict.
@@1andahalfmen268 no I do get your point , but we are pretty much in the same page. All I've seen from merson is constant whining , but I've yet to see him off sky sports for any period of time , he's surrounded by gambling adverts and talk. I had to leave where IAM from behind to change , I made a new life , I'm sure you made alot of changes aswell . But you made the choice that you need to change , my point is we choose to create a new routine with something that takes away reality then we make it an addiction , the only way that changes is if your whole routine totally changes. We are all different , I just never see or hear of what effort Paul makes , I've read his book and he just makes a joke of his whole life , there's zero remorse! I wish we could hear about how many struggle with drugs yet function and work , the media don't seem to want to talk about the biggest issue in Britain . Sorry if I've offended you
RESPECT to you Paul Merson. You hit the nail on the head there for Millions. Thank You.
100% right! Respect for this honesty
Well spoken merson im a Newcastle United fan let's all get behind tonali and stick by him give him all our support for him
No way of the possibility of Tonali coming forward in an effort to face a lighter consequence ?
Hes done that else he was looking at 3 year ban, probably getting 12 months instead. Still harsh @@Nostradanus86
Lol just because he plays for you?
@@Cal2929 should just have to pay double his winnings & face no ban.
Respect to the "Magic Man" for being so open and honest about his ongoing illness (and it is an illness when your compulsive betting)...Footballers are human beings and normal people outside of the football world so I agree they need help not punishing...If u ban them they are still on top money but then they have more time on their hands when not playing so u would imagine more opportunity to place more and more bets if they wanted too via other sources...Merse is the man the PL and FA need to listen to on this and should enlist his help with his experiences so he can pass it on and hopefully detract more players stumbling into addiction whether that's betting, gambling, drugs etc etc...Well done Merse for speaking up once again 👏🏻👏🏻
So much respect for Paul Merson. The hypocrisy from Sky when they're in bed with gambling industry is astounding and quite simply deplorable.
I believe you'll find Tonali was betting with illegal bookmakers based in Turin, Italy. The UK gambling industry has its faults, but they had nothing to do with this case. Why is it "astounding" and "deplorable"? I suspect that if Sky had not covered this story instead of being accused of "hypocrisy"... People would' be claiming Sky are not covering the story because of their links with bookmakers. Sky are damned if they do, damned if they don't. Personally, I applaud them for covering it in a sensitive way.
Considering they have betting ads plastered all over, I find this very ironic and Sky are complicit in the rise of gambling problems. Good for Paul Merson though, it’s not easy speaking about this especially in public.
Well said Paul Merson. As a gambling addict who's lost everything and still can't stop I respect you so so much
chin up mate 👍🏼 it’s hard but keep at it it’s always there like drink and drugs
I’m a gambling addict and it’s so hard just to stop Merson huge respect and let’s support tonali ❤
Bet you 20 quid you dont stop
Aye its a massive joke mate, everyones pissing their pants laughing @@Matty-kelly
@@Matty-kellyyou’re pathetic
Same here I want to stop but I just can't the thrill of it just makes me keep doing it
@@Matty-kelly hahahahaha next please ha
Powerful, powerful discussion. Well in lads, some great points
I dont recall anyone on the panel talking about the gambling ads that swamp all the ad breaks during matches. They were very aware of the consequences
I always say my biggest achievements in my life was getting over my addiction to gambling and people laugh, if you havent had it you just wont get it.
help me bro
Heard enough about this by now.
No more, Paul.
Thanks,
Huge respect to Paul for embracing his vulnerabilities and speaking from the heart! This is a huge step towards a better understanding of gambling addiction and an even greater step towards better men's mental health :)
well said merson gambling is a nightmare and you never win if you do win you give it back the next week.its so hard to stop
Agree with everything Mers said - FIFA & UEFA's lack of understanding on this addiction is staggering. The player's unions in the 5 major leagues should lobby UEFA about this - the whole ethos in dealing with players that have this addiction needs changing.
Absolutely spot on!!! Sad but so true
You have to admire Paul Merson for speaking up about his own addiction.
I don’t mostly agree with what Merson has to say, but on this I respect him for revealing his addictions on air, he certainly knows how it consumes you, so he’s ideal for footballing authorities to have him on board as well as experts in the medical profession to give advice and help in deciding the help needed rather than the punishment to be dished out for the players in this predicament ( addiction to gambling)
These are the players who have been caught out, there will be others that haven’t, in football in particular nobody’s going to admit to there gambling addiction for obvious reasons, after all they are living a ‘living hell’ every day 24/7.
Mr Merson is absolutely right this young man has an illness at the end of the day addiction is an addiction the example he gave of betting rather than carpet his home was a very stark example.
Love Paul. Top man and to come out the other side, so happy.
I love the way Mers has explained this current situation regarding betting his face and voice tells me/you how this addiction effects you in the most awful way people in the the world of sport not just football should be speaking to people like Mers and others that this illness has effected their lives and families please keep spreading awareness Mers you have amazing skill speaking the way you do 👏🏼👏🏼❤️
Its all a ploy to save face by national federations to not lead to the embrassment that 2006 calciopoli scandal caused.
He should be arrested for drug taking
@@pauldarn I’m pretty sure I did but will have a check in case it was a different one…fishing with David Seaman was part of it
@@paulcavanagh3324 Paul merson gambling and me it was called mate, wasn't the one with big Dave seaman on.
@@hmq9052charged with drug taking😂😂
Fascinating convo
Legend merse..when he speaks u listen...to come through the stuff he has..has to be respected
I love Clinton but he was RAMBLINGGGG saying the same thing in 5 different ways 😂😂😂
😂😂😂😂
I noticed that. Sounded like Evan baxter off Bruce almighty.
Palace legend🔵🔴
Str8 outta trumpton
That's because they should have 5 minutes discussing this topic not near 15 minutes
It's good to hear someone talking sense
Good move removing ads from this video.
Paul Merson is absolutely right. By offering counselling and support it gives younger, less well off players a face saving route out of gambling without ruining their careers. Banning them is only going to keep it hidden. He's also right in saying that there is a massive difference between betting on your own team and betting on the opposition team. The former is an addiction, the latter is cheating.
As others have said, huge respect to Paul Merson for raising awareness of the addiction and illness.
Education is key from a young age, through football and in society.
Education is key. I just hope players are taught the mathematics of betting before they've even had a bet. I believe that had I not come across the mathematics of betting early on in my gambling it is very possible I might have ended up addicted.
@@markchapman2933 yeah, it's a difficult addiction to overcome and very hard to detect in other people.
Someone calmly looking at their phone could be betting hundreds/thousands of pounds and you just wouldn't know any better.
I am a gambling addict however I don’t want anyone to understand. It’s my choice to gamble not a illness
Love listening to Merse , talks a lot of sense
Beloved by aston villa 😢my hero as a kid kids dont understand how naturally gifted paul merson was he could sense the goalposts from a half chance from 30 yards one touch bang he's called magic merson at villa for a reason ❤
Villa took him in his height of his gambling addiction and nobody outside of villa park knew it cause thats aston villa once you wear the famous claret and blue and perform to the level he did your family we've got a history of it he's never been back since and if he stood infront of the holte end again he'd get a standing ovation from villa park
Merson had the drink the drugs and the gambling. Still one of the best players about. Imagine what he would have been like without them all.
This is how it should be done. Let’s have a healthy conversation addressing the issue rather than shame & implement lengthy bans.
Met the Arsenal 94-95 squad in December at their training ground. But Merson wasn’t. Years later I found out he was in rehab. George Graham was more welcoming than I thought he’d be
First sensible comment from Merson I’ve heard respect
A nine month ban will give a gambling addict more time on their hands to place bets. If they’re banned from playing and the training ground, there needs to be some constructive activities to fill all that time. I’m a recovering gambling addict and everything Paul Merson has said resonates with me.
Well said Paul Merson
"They've gotta pay their mortgage you can't ban them"
2 seconds later
"Give them a fine" 😂
Yeah I didn't understand that myself. The players will still get paid whether they're on a ban or not.
No they won’t, if the club want to pay them they can, I highly doubt they would though
What he needs to say is “ban betting from being advertised”, but his employer wouldn’t be impressed.
It's an absolute joke merson and others live in absolute cloud cuckoo land
Don’t bet on football, simple.
I’ve always questioned Paul Merson as a pundit because of his questionable takes and I believe he was shoehorned into a job because he was a cracking footballer - but understanding his demons and listening to him talk passionately about things like this and hearing him defend players that go through the same things he has completely given me a newfound respect for him!
That’s the most sense I’ve ever heard Paul Merson speak
'Gamble responsibly' Ray Winston every flipping advert
The most nauseating advert in the history of adverts . Gamble responsibly, no such thing and they know it .
If these mega rich footballers can't afford to lose money, how can average Joe on the street .
He has opened up about his various addictions for decades 😪😴
He has opened up more than my corner shop.
The main issue with gambling is what people instinctively think when you dont do it yourself or suffer from this addiction. Its seen as stupidness, irresponsible and a weakness, rather than what it is an actual illness... That is why the people who are gambling addicts dont come forward willingly most of the time, they feel judged before even admitting to it. That is why there is a general reluctance to say 'i am an addict and have a problem', its a pure stigmatism that comes with gambling and the attitude towards it needs to change as a whole. You cant walk, drive, go online, watch tv without gambling being pushed in front of your face. It all needs to change drastically in order to help and gain understanding of how this illness can be treated, prevented and understood. I speak as a gambling addict myself i know these feelings and live with it everyday.
I hope Paul attends meetings regularly and works a continued program of recovery and doesn’t become dry. 🙏🏻
He's 100% right that it's worse than most things yet its looked at something that people should just stop on the spot
Very well said Merse
merse i love this man i mean real love so honest
Spot on, punishing addiction is well out of date.
I think Paul explained the addiction very well. It’s not a physical addiction, it’s all a mindset which makes it even harder than drug or alcohol addiction. Paul Merson should be involved in some way to help footballers with gambling addiction.
100% agree with Merson on this and respect for being so honest about it. Football (and other sports) are massive hypocrites when it comes to gambling. Players, fans, and everyone are bombarded with ads for gambling but as soon as a player bets on a game (even when they are not involved ) they are treated like scum and pariahs. Compulsive gambling is real, and footballers suffering from the illness are treated like criminals.
Sky sports cannot have these conversations whilst having betting ads constantly running and having betting forced down your throat at every opportunity.
Of all the addictions I don’t know any with the level of advertisement gambling has. I’ve never had a gambling addiction but have with drugs and alcohol and I really feel for gambling addicts as they can’t even watch footie without being hammered with betting ads. It’s crazy how they are allowed to do it.
Just an idea, but when a player signs for a new club part of their contract, it is to have self exclusion to all betting apps/website. Plus, more education on betting along with counselling.
Villa played merson in every position on the field he played the modern no 10 he played second stricker i saw him play no9 late on in games he played both wings he could of played full back he was that good of a footballer naturally gifted
The reason why I don't bet is because how easy it is to end up in trouble.
6 months with therapy is an adequate lay off, (not a ban please) and then to provide betting support long term.
He on the right channel for bettingand gambling
Wonder how many gambling ads were shown during the advert break straight after this segment.
Wow he's right well said Paul
Ive been through it myself it doesnt matter how much you earn you gamble for the rush of the win that release of endorphins and u keep chasing that high on a daily basisand like merse kind of pointed out these players are getting such a high and a rush playing football that when they go home at night and its quiet and boring and they need that rush and excitement in their life they can easily go on their phones 24/7 now and bet and get some sort of rush out of football and its very hard to stop
This was class from merson
first time i have agreed with merson, but well spoken, ive been close to people with a gambling addiction and its frightening, Tonali needs to play to keep his mind away from gambling.
Saying it's an illness is insulting to people who do actually have an illness. Gambling is a choice. Tonali knows the rules.
Very ignorant thing to say.
He spoke about it last year, and the year before, and the year before...
The amount of times this guy has opened up about his gambling is quite ridiculous. He's just open about it, he's not opening up. Been hearing the same story for 20 years on a bi weekly basis. I think he needs to open up about his addiction to opening up as a gambling addict.
Feel better now?
Gambling is sickness.
In short, these guys are being punished for being sick ☺
You’re sick.
gambling is an illness which i have myself from a very young age but betting on the team your playing to win the game isnt gambling thats hussling which is a big difference
Well said Paul. We are behind Sandro..HWTL ❤
Gambling is a serious illness merson is spot on thae last thing you want is time on your hands there needs to be more support for it
It is NOT a serious illness. Get a grip of yourself.
What is it then would love to know
@@paulbarrow7320 It's an addiction. It's not an illness - 99% of illness's are physical. Being addicted to gambling is weak-willed.
I understand and broadly agree with Merse. However, likening to drugs or alcohol and saying they get treated rather than punished isn't true. Mutu was banned and sacked for testing positive for cocaine. Nobody came out to support him and say he needs help for an addiction
Such hypocrisy to have such strict sanctions, yet paste gambling adverts all over the game.
Unfortunately like most things in todays world social media, smart phones with apps have such a massive influence with this problem it’s just far too easy to bet when you have so much money and time on your hands!!
I don’t really understand his point considering they aren’t being banned for gambling they’re being banned for gambling on FOOTBALL gambling is an addiction he’s right but they’re choosing to bet on football knowing it’s against the rules when they could bet on so many other sports
First thing Merson said was stop fining them and stop the lengthy band….. then said give them big fines 🤷♂️🤷♂️
***Big betting company execs absolutely loving this segment!***
My god is there any kind of addiction you've not been involved with paul?!
Ive never gambled dont earn 100k a week but I understand its a illness like alcholism and drugs but rehab and rehabilitation is way forward and people like Mers should do talks on the serious topic that so many lose their life at a youngvage!
Well said Paul, people who make the rules should watch this video
Well said Paul 👏 👌, good man , gambling is a bas 😢
6 years clear of this.
Still love to watch horse racing, which was my problem, but any sport is not a gamblers problem. It’s the itch of a bet.
2.5k in the hole, which may seem mediocre to some, was a massive debt for me that lost me so much.
It’s tough to get away from this. My team, that I buy the shirt for, every season, has a betting company splashed across the front and annoys me. But I treat that as a reminder of what I was.
Bans are not the answer. It will kick a man/woman when their down.
Advertising needs to stop, and more awareness of help needs to be broadcast.
Not against gambling or betting companies. But encouraging it is half the problem in my opinion.
If a man/woman wants a bet, they know where to go.
2.5K really isnt a lot. Is this how much you lost on one bet, one days betting or what? I know lads throwing that over the counter on a daily basis